The warm summer weather of the last few weeks also marked the start of the bathing season in Bavaria. Thousands of people splash around in the region’s numerous bathing lakes and rivers to cool off.
But not everyone makes it back to shore safe and well: a total of 70 people drowned in Bavaria’s waters in 2024. More than in any other German state: „This is mainly due to the fact that we have a particularly large number of rivers and lakes here in Bavaria,“ explains Andreas Heuler, Deputy Chairman of the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) Nuremberg-Roth-Schwabach district.
"Additionally, over the past few years, we have unfortunately observed an increasing number of drowning fatalities." The reasons for this are multifaceted. "For children, it is mainly related to swimming skills. In 2022, a whole 20 percent of children of primary school age couldn’t swim. In 2017, it was just ten percent," Heuler explains.
One reason cited is the coronavirus pandemic, which prevented many children from attending swimming courses during that time. However, another issue plays a part as well: "There are increasingly fewer indoor pools where swimming could be taught. Many require renovation and have had to close." In Nuremberg, they are still fortunate to have enough pools available. "In rural areas, however, the situation is naturally worse." Heuler's demand: "We need more sports pools again, which are intended for swimming lessons, as outdoor and leisure pools are often less suitable."
"Recklessness fueled by Alcohol"
But it is not only children; young adults are also frequently among the drowning victims. "This is mainly due to recklessness combined with alcohol," says Heuler. He knows it from the „Brombachsee“, where the DLRG operates a water rescue station. "When you go there with friends, drink alcohol, and go into the water, it can end in disaster. Especially at night and when the area is not monitored."
However, the largest group of drowning victims is people over 50 years old. "Here, demographics and underlying health conditions in the population play a role. If someone has a heart attack in an unmonitored body of water, it is hardly noticeable."
Another reason for many swimming accidents: „Due to the decreasing number of swimming pools and the increased entrance fees, open waters are becoming more and more attractive. But here in particular, it can easily happen that bathers underestimate the current in rivers or that the waters are unguarded.“
To prevent accidents from happening in the first place, Heuler has the following tips: „It’s best never to go into a body of water alone or drunk. You should also always think about the best place to go in and out and cool down beforehand. Because if someone falls off an air mattress into 20-degree water at 40 degrees, it can lead to massive problems.“
What to do in an emergency in the lake?
For longer swims, it is advisable to take a life buoy with you. This helps you stay afloat in case of doubt. An air mattress, on the other hand, is less suitable for this purpose. But what happens if a swimmer has no aids available in an unsupervised body of water and gets a cramp, for example? „The best thing to do is lie on your back, stretch the affected area and release the cramp. It also makes sense to see where I can best get out of the water and still call for help, as someone may hear me.“
Also good for improving swimming skills: „Swimming badge days are held every year throughout Germany,“ explains Heuler. During this period, all age groups can obtain a swimming badge from the participating associations and put their skills to the test.
